You can apply for the recognition of an industrial-technical and commercial profession that is not regulated in Bavaria.
Description
Certain industrial-technical and commercial professions are not regulated in Bavaria. Recognition of your qualification is not mandatory for taking up a job, but can be useful. You can apply for recognition at the Bavarian State Office for Schools.
The industrial-technical and commercial professions that are not regulated in Bavaria and for which the Bavarian State Office for Schools checks the equivalence of foreign professional qualifications can be found under "Further links".
In order to work in Bavaria in one of these professions, recognition of your foreign qualification is not mandatory.
It is often possible to take up a job without formal recognition of your foreign qualification. In principle, it is the respective employer who decides whether or not to hire you.
A recognition procedure can be useful in order to make your foreign qualification more transparent and better assessable for the employer.
In accordance with the Bavarian Vocational Qualifications Assessment Act (BayBQFG), you can apply for an assessment of equivalence if you have successfully completed vocational training abroad.
Prerequisites
You can apply for a determination of equivalence in accordance with the Bavarian Vocational Qualifications Determination Act (BayBQFG), provided that you have
- have successfully completed vocational training abroad and
- intend to work in Bavaria.
An application can be submitted regardless of citizenship and residence status.
Sufficient German language skills are also expected for the occupation.
Procedure
You can submit the application for recognition of your foreign qualification in writing or electronically via the secure communication platform to the Certificate Recognition Office of the Bavarian State Office for Schools.
First, they will check whether your foreign qualification can be assigned to the reference occupation you specified. If necessary, the State Office for Schools will inform you which other office is responsible for you. In this case, you can withdraw the application free of charge.
Within the framework of the equivalence examination of your foreign qualification, the State Office for Schools will check in particular whether your foreign qualification qualifies you for comparable professional activities as evidenced by the corresponding Bavarian training certificate and whether there are significant differences between the foreign qualification and the corresponding Bavarian vocational training.
Evidence of relevant professional experience (from abroad or from Germany) and other proof of qualification (e.g. additional qualifications or further and advanced training) will also be taken into account.
If no significant differences are found, the full equivalence of your foreign qualification can be determined.
If there are significant differences and at the same time comparable qualification contents, the existing qualifications as well as the differences to the Bavarian qualification will be described in the decision.
Special notes
Late repatriates can alternatively submit an application for the determination of equivalence in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG).
Within the framework of this free procedure - in contrast to the procedure according to the Bavarian Vocational Qualification Assessment Act (BayBQFG) - professional experience and/or further education cannot be taken into account.
Late repatriates can choose whether to submit an application in accordance with the BayBQFG or the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG).
If an application is submitted in accordance with BVFG, it must be accompanied by appropriate proof (Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung / ID card for displaced persons).
Processing time
The State Office for Schools will confirm receipt of your application within one month and, if necessary, inform you which documents need to be supplemented. If the documents are complete, the decision will be made within three months. In justified cases, this period may be extended appropriately.
Required documents
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The following documents must be submitted:
- Signed application form
- If applicable: Decision on professional recognition (by another competent body).
- For persons who are not citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland or whose place of residence is outside these states: Declaration of intention to work (e.g. proof of application for an entry visa for gainful employment, proof of contact with employer).
- Proof of identity (ID card or passport, photo page only - serial numbers and photo may be redacted).
- If applicable: Proof of name change (marriage certificate).
- if applicable: Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung or Vertriebenenbescheinigung (certificate of expellees)
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form with detailed information on school education, vocational training, further training and work experience
- School-leaving certificate from the last general school attended (before entering vocational school) - with translation*.
- Evidence of foreign professional qualification (diploma, certificate, diploma, etc.) - with translation*.
- Supplementary documents on professional qualification (e.g. scope and main contents of theoretical subjects taught / scope and main contents of practical training / overview of subjects taught and number of lessons at school (time table)) - with translation*
- if applicable: Diploma Supplement - with translation*
- if applicable: Evidence of relevant work experience in the learned profession (e.g. work certificates, work books, letters of reference)
- if applicable: other proof of qualifications (e.g. additional qualifications acquired, further education/training, retraining)
*Transcripts:
All the above-mentioned educational certificates (including proof of professional experience and certificates of competence) must be submitted in the original language as well as in translation into German by a publicly appointed or sworn translator.
In principle, the submission of the above documents in the form of photocopies or in electronic form (pdf files) is sufficient; in certain cases, the submission of officially certified photocopies or originals is additionally required. You will be notified separately about this if required.
Fees
The recognition procedure in accordance with the Bavarian Vocational Qualifications Assessment Act (BayBQFG) is subject to a fee.
The Bavarian State Office for Schools charges a fee of between EUR 200.00 and EUR 600.00 plus expenses for carrying out the recognition procedure, depending on the effort involved.
Additional costs, e.g. for translations and certifications, must be borne by you.
Unemployed and job-seeking applicants should check with their relevant employment agencies or job centers before submitting an application to see whether the costs can be covered by the employment agency.
The recognition procedure in accordance with the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG) (see Special Instructions) is free of charge.
Remedy
An appeal (administrative court action) is permitted against the decision of the competent body. This allows you to take legal action against the decision so that it can be reviewed. Details on this can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. However, you are advised to clarify the disputed issues with the responsible office before filing an appeal.
Links to more information
Status:23.05.2023
Responsible for editing:Bayerisches Landesamt für Schule
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